When you hear about someone slipping and falling, you may not think anything of it: people lose their balance all the time. Usually, slip and fall victims catch themselves before falling to the ground. Even when someone wipes out, they will likely walk away with no more than a bruised ego. Unfortunately, not everyone who slips or trips is as lucky. On the contrary, some people suffer life-altering injuries or even deaths from bad falls.
When you or a loved one sustains harm by falling at someone else’s home or business, a skilled injury attorney could help you collect compensation from a civil lawsuit. A Stockton slip and fall lawyer could review what legal options you might have and fight to get you the results you deserve.
Understanding Stockton Slip and Fall Claims
Property owners, caretakers, managers, tenants, and anyone else in control of a property are responsible for ensuring the premises are reasonably safe for legal visitors. Therefore, slip and fall lawsuits often arise under the personal injury law known as premises liability.
When a guest or customer trips or slips, the property’s caretaker could be legally responsible for the cost of the guest’s injuries; however, this often depends on the circumstances. For instance, when a guest stumbles over their own feet or trips because of their high heels, the injured victim probably does not have a viable cause of action.
Instead, liability arises when a property owner allows a dangerous condition that poses a risk of injury to a visitor to exist on their property. Likewise, when a landowner fails to remove or warn visitors about a hazard that causes a slip and fall incident, they could face civil liability if the visitor falls and sustains injuries.
A knowledgeable local attorney could meet with a claimant to review the details of their accident to see if they have valid grounds to pursue a legal claim.
How Do Slip and Fall Accidents Occur?
Slip and fall claims frequently arise from a property owner’s failure to maintain their property. A landowner could be liable for a guest’s injuries when they fail to do one of the following:
- Remove debris or foreign objects from the floor
- Promptly clean up a spill on the floor, such as a spilled bottle of sauce in a grocery store
- Block off an area after washing a floor or put up a sign warning people of wet floors
- Address bunched-up carpeting, protruding electrical cords, or other hazards
- Remove potholes or fix uneven walkways
- Properly light walkways, parking lots, or entryways
- Fix broken staircases with missing handrails
A dedicated lawyer in Stockton could investigate the circumstances surrounding the claimant’s slip and fall injury. By speaking with people familiar with the property, such as other employees or customers, they could determine how long the hazardous condition existed and whether the property owner knew or should have known about it.
Speak to a Slip and Fall Attorney in Stockton
A simple fall can result in more than just a minor inconvenience: you could face medical problems that could affect your ability to participate in your daily life or even go to work. Fortunately, a Stockton slip and fall lawyer can help you get reimbursed for the cost of your injuries and other losses.
Speak to our lawyers today. Let us help you fight for the best possible financial settlement.